Texas Economy Adds 6,700 Jobs In February

AUSTIN — The Texas economy expanded in February with the addition of 6,700 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs.

Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.9 percent in February, up slightly from 4.8 percent in January.

“Texas employers added 222,400 jobs over the year in the diverse Texas economy,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Andres Alcantar. “TWC will continue to focus on the workforce needs of these growing industries and build partnerships that develop a world-class workforce for Texas employers.”

The Education and Health Services industry recorded the largest private-industry employment gain over the month with 11,700 jobs added.

Leisure and Hospitality employment grew by 4,400 jobs in February and Manufacturing employment expanded by 3,900 jobs.

“Texas employers continue to keep our state’s economy strong with private-sector employment expanding over the year with an overall job-growth of 189,200, including 12,300 jobs added in February,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “TWC is committed to offering programs that allow employers to provide customized training to meet the skills needed for today’s competitive job market.”

The Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6 percent, followed by the Lubbock and Austin-Round Rock MSAs with a rate of 3.7 percent and the College Station-Bryan MSA with a rate of 3.8 for February.

“Texas’ labor force is the backbone of the Texas economy. It is made up of hard-working individuals who are eager to obtain the skills that our employers need,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “For individuals who need assistance connecting with that perfect career opportunity, I encourage our labor force to tap into TWC’s training resources like our apprenticeship training program that can help prepare them for a good-paying career.”

Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit tracer2.com.

The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for March is scheduled to be released on Friday, April 21, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).

To see the additional jobs added by Texas Cities, check out the tables here.